Councillor urges removal of transgender admissions from school policy in East Riding
Debate on controversial section set for next council meeting
East Riding is facing a heated debate over the 2027/28 school admissions policy as Councillor Samantha Christon-Whyte calls for a controversial section to be removed.
The section in question, "Admission of Transgender Pupils to a Single-Sex School," permits transgender admissions in the region's only maintained single-sex girls' school, Beverley High School for Girls.
This move follows significant legal developments, including a UK Supreme Court ruling affirming "sex" as biological sex under the Equality Act 2010 and updates from the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Code of Practice.
Councillor Christon-Whyte, a former pupil of the school, argues that the policy should align with legal definitions and protect the essence of female-only educational spaces.
She believes that admitting biological males undermines the purpose of a girls-only setting.
Joanne Donoghue, a parent actively campaigning on the issue, criticises the council for formalising an approach that includes transgender pupils without sufficient transparency for families.
The motion advocating the removal of the transgender section will be discussed at the Full Council meeting on 29th July 2026.
This debate highlights the ongoing discussions around gender identity and educational policies in single-sex schools.
The council’s decision will be pivotal in shaping local educational standards and addressing concerns raised by residents.
Councillor Christon-Whyte is open to discussions and interviews regarding the proposed changes and can be contacted directly.